Wooded Island Bird Walk Report

It was a pleasant walk, as usual. The warblers are beginning their fall migration visit to Jackson Park. Thanks to the searching and discoveries of Eric and Tobias Ginsburg, a total of seven warbler species were found.

WEATHER: Initial drizzle gave way to breaks of sunshine amid billowing clouds. Temperature 69 to 72 F., Winds mild from the west 5 to 10 mph. Humidity 92%. Dew Point 67 Degrees.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 30

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Canada Goose 8 fly overs heading west over Meadow.

Wood Duck 7 Parents with five offspring.

Mallard 3

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Great Blue Heron 5

Black-crowned Night-Heron 5

Spotted Sandpiper 1

Ring-billed Gull 4

Chimney Swift 13

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 1

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Eastern Phoebe 1 Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

Warbling Vireo 1 Seen & heard.

Black-capped Chickadee 4

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Swainson's Thrush 1 Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

Gray Catbird 3

Black-and-white Warbler 1 Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

Nashville Warbler 1

American Redstart 2

Magnolia Warbler 1 Observed by Eric & Tobias G.

Blackpoll Warbler 3

Palm Warbler 8

Wilson's Warbler 1

Song Sparrow 3

Northern Cardinal 1

American Goldfinch 4

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round.Newcomers are warmly welcomed.

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. No one can cross. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. It appears that the fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

The Walks start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. Wooded Island is closed off by a fence while work in being done. Birders walk through Bobolink Meadow and view the eastside of Wooded Island and the East Lagoon.

Please note: The Wednesday morning Walks have been decommissioned. An informal group often meets, but the start time varies and the distance traveled can be curtailed.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive at 57th Street (labeled Science Drive on a small blue street sign). There is a Stop Light at 57th Street. Make a turn at the Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.